The launch of the 2026 Honda Prelude is inching closer, as Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSB) has just organised a media test drive session. This comes after the initial preview a month ago, followed by customer preview at selected showrooms.
Now in its sixth generation, the BF1-generation Prelude succeeds a long line of sports coupes that started way back in 1978. Plus, it’s been twenty years since the fifth-generation Prelude was introduced, so there’s a lot riding on the shoulders of the new sixth-gen model.
To set the record straight – the BF1 Prelude isn’t designed as an outright sports car; none of the predecessors were. Instead, the Prelude is designed as a grand tourer, one that you won’t hesitate to take the keys for a long-distance trip. Depending on the market, the Prelude also serves as a replacement for the Civic and Accord Coupe.
Large Project Leader (LPL) of the Honda Prelude, Tomoyuki Yamagami, who was also in-charge of the chassis tests for the ninth-gen Honda Accord, as well as the tenth-gen Honda Civic, revealed that Honda took inspirations from gliders, giving the Prelude a “low and wide” stance, without fussy design gimmicks.
And like a glider, Yamagami-san also revealed that the Prelude is engineered to be as efficient as possible. As such, there’s no VTEC Turbo powertrain under the sleek hood; instead, in-line with recent Honda models, the Prelude boasts Honda’s trick e:HEV petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
Combined system output of the 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine and electric motors is 203 PS – hardly groundbreaking figures, but power alone doesn’t necessary paint a full picture.
You see, despite sharing its e:HEV powertrain with the Civic e:HEV, the Prelude is the first Honda model to debut the S+ Shift feature, which Honda says enhances the driving experience by imitating shift shocks and aural vibrations of an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Gimmick? Far from it, as Yamagami-san himself owns a PDK-equipped Porsche 911, and that is the reason why the Prelude feels as such. Even part of the rear of the Prelude has hints of a 911 and that’s for a reason.
While the powertrain may be shared with the Civic e:HEV, the Prelude does still have some sporty bits, like its Dual Axis front suspension and steering rack, which have been lifted off the FL5 Civic Type R, albeit tuned for a more relaxing driving experience. Also unmistakable are the blue Brembo brakes, hiding behind the black 19-inch alloy wheels.
Granted, some may lament at the fact that the Prelude lacks a manual transmission, but that’s not the point of the sixth-gen model. From the get-go, the idea of the Prelude is to be an effortless grand tourer that’s also fuel efficient and yet fun-to-drive, sprinkled with Honda’s magic touch.
